The Virtues of Epsom Salts

With the change of seasons, it is the time of year for shifting gears into colder weather and holiday mode. A wonderful treat to help your body and mind adjust to winter and all the demands placed upon you is a good old-fashioned Epsom salt soak. Your grandmother was right – an Epsom salt soak is sometimes exactly what is needed!

Epsom salts are magnesium at its finest, magnesium salts. Interestingly, magnesium is one of the first minerals to deplete when food is processed (rather than real). It is also one of the first to leave the body when stress is experienced. (Have you had any stress in your life lately?)

Whatever is placed on the skin (or soaked in this case), is absorbed into the skin (considered transdermal). When you place healthy ingredients on your skin, you are assisting your body to relax and recalibrate.

Our bodies are so amazingly designed!

Magnesium is one of the essential minerals for your body’s chemistry. This can help with sore, fatigued, cramping muscles, stress and fatigue. The main symptoms of magnesium deficiency are insomnia, muscle cramps, anxiety, constipation and heart palpitations.

Cortisol is a stress hormone – the “fight or flight” hormone. Magnesium can be considered an anti-stress buffer, because it decreases the cortisol, aids muscles to relax after the muscle firing. For the sleep-deprived (that is, MOST of us!), it can prevent night time muscle cramps (Charley-horses) and stress-related sleep issues.

A safe, welcoming way to up your magnesium level is through the use of Epsom Salt (magnesium sulfate) Baths.

Start with half a cup (gradually increase up to two cups) of Epsom Salt in a hot bath.